It was Good Friday and with nothing to do in the morning, drove from Paete all the way to Liliw to look for this hidden organic strawberry farm in Liliw, Laguna, owned by barangay captain Mario Cortez of barangay Ilayang Sungi Upon arriving at the place, accessed by a narrow farm to market road, you can see several rows of strawberry plants, sweet basil, tomatoes, broccoli and other fruit trees, including a coffee tree.

Tough luck though that there were a few visitors to the farm the last following days that's why not much ripe berries were available but still managed to get hold of a few ripe ones including several seedlings with ripe berries to show.






you can buy strawberry seedlings with ripened berries to take home for PhP25.00 for a small one and PhP50.00 for a medium one. There's free entrance fee/admission to the farm but very limited parking space along the narrow road

This farm deserves another visit by Tutubi and will probably try to visit the mini-waterfalls in the area, at the foot of Mt. Banahaw one of these days. Here's hoping there's less need to go to Baguio, specifically La Trinidad, Benguet to do strawberry picking activity where you pay per kilo of the berries you picked if the farm and adjacent areas can be developed.


How to get there:

from Manila, drive through Slex, take Calamba exit then head towards Sta Cruz, Laguna all the way to Jollibee Pagsanjan where you turn right (the area called Sambat). COntinue towards the old church in Liliw then take the service road going to Ilayang Sungi about 4.1 kilometers from the church as measured using a car's trip meter.

By commute, take DLTB, HM Transport or Green Star bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. In Sta Cruz, take a jeepney going to Liliw. ride a tricycle to take you to Captain Matio Cortez's farm in barangay Ilayang Sungi.

Labels: Calabarzon, Farms, Laguna, Southern Tagalog

Another waterfall in Laguna conquered by Tutubi recently, opened for tourism just last year, even if Tutubi's been aware of its existence for some time now. In this case, a trek to the now famous waterfall in Laguna, a majestic falls about 90 meters high, was another spur-of-the-moment decision the day before the May 2016 national elections.


Here's a hastily-written (and unedited) Hulugan Falls travel guide written by the busy blogger for those who wanted to visit the place:

1. How to Get to Luisiana, Laguna

Either take an HM Transport bus or DLTB on EDSA, Cubao or GreenStar Transport or DLTB bus on Taft/Gil Puyat/LRT bound to Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

In Sta. Cruz, transfer to a jeepney going to Lucban, Quezon but request to be dropped off in Barangay San Salvador in Luisiana (after passing the road going to
Cavinti poblacion)

for those with cars, ample parking space available near the registration area (guarded), parking is free


2. Get a guide

To get to Hulugan Falls, you need to secure the services of a tour guide (for a voluntary fee but be a bit generous here)


3. Register and pay Hulugan Falls "entrance fee"

pay PhP20.00 "entrance fee" to Hulugan Falls. Senior citizens need to sign a waiver

Hulugan Falls is majestically high but a just trickles in summer, best to visit during the typhoon season

4. Take a tricycle or walk about a kilometer to the jump off point. Tricycle fare is PhP10.00/person

5. Trek down to the falls in about 15-30 minutes. the path is a bit steep yet has bamboo/wooden handrails

6. Enjoy the falls

There's also Talay Falls or Aliw Falls nearby for about another 40 minutes trek but Tutubi didn't go there as it may be hard for his septuagenarian father.

Notes:

1. You can eat at various eateries near the registration area (e.g. Aling Ganda's eatery with tapsilog and pancit habhab for PhP60.00/order).
2. You can take a shower at some homes there for PhP15.00
3. Ample parking available, no parking fee
4. you can buy Luisiana style bibingka with nice pandan basket priced at PhP100.00 for three pieces of bibingka about 5 inches in diameter
5. The best time to visit the falls is during the months of November to February. The falls is more majestic though during the typhoon season yet a bit dangerous
6. On your way back, you can take a tricycle back to the registration area or the main road for PhP10/person
7. There's a first aid station along the trail; the nearest hospitals are in Pagsanjan town

Do you know why it's called Hulugan Falls?
Tutubi asked this question to Aling Ganda (a friendly local and owner of a tapsilogan) who told Tutubi it's probably due to the place used as hulugan ng kalabaw.
Not sure about it though :(

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Waterfalls

A refreshing dip in the water of Bunga Twin Falls in Nagcarlan, Laguna.

The twin waterfalls of Narcarlan, lesser-known compared to Taytay Falls in Majayjay moreso with the popular Pagsanjan Falls, was visited by Tutubi quite some time ago.

The waterfall features a twin fall "design," quite similar to Kalayaan Twin Falls but has more nature-ish feel to it due to absence of concrete development.


the twin falls, height can be estimated from the people added to the frame to add scale

the natural rocks and boulders of the river and sample of cottages for rent

siesta time on a waterbed?

there's an area where you can pitch tents and cook, ideal for backpackers


Bunga Falls Information:
Entrance Fee: PhP5.00/person (yes, barya lang, even for overnight camping trip)
Cottage Rentals: starts at PhP200.00 (quite expensive though)
Overnight Accommodation (cottage rent): PhP400.00 (free if you have your own tent)
Activities: hiking, trekking, swimming, camping, water tubing, glamping (?), sleeping :P
Parking Fee: PhP20.00 (vehicles), PhP15.00 (motorcycles)

How to Get to Nagcarlan, Laguna:

Take a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Green Star Express in LRT Gil Puyat Station, HM Transport on EDSA Cubao or DLTB bus.

In Sta. Cruz Laguna (Pagsawitan), transfer to a jeepney to Nagcarlan. In Nagcarlan town proper, take a tricycle to Bunga Falls

Related Post:
List of Waterfalls in Laguna

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Waterfalls

Just two away from Manila is this hideaway of the rich and famous, of which Tutubi is neither of rich nor famous, via CAVITex and the new Kaybiang Tunnel connecting the towns of Ternate, Cavite with Nasugbu, Batangas, Pico de Loro is synonymous with the nearby Mt. Pico de Loro well-loved by mountaineers.

Located inside Hamilo Coast of Nasugbu, Batangas is a condo resort development with a hotel and beach club. It has Pico Sands hotel for guests and events (like a planning session attended by Tutubi that's why he was able to gain access to the facilities), weddings, prenups, parties, swimming pool, a beach for swimming, swimming pools, a man-made lagoon surrounded by mid-rise condominiums for sale/lease/rent or member-only use.

Pictures of Pico De Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas:


the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

the two queen size beds of Pico Sands Hotel room. Room also comes with a 32" LCD TV and cable TV provided by Cignal with several HD channels (but do you go to places like this just to watch TV? c'mon!)

the key card access of Pico Sands Hotel

Pico Bar and Restaurant just near the lobby of Pico Sands Hotel

sample menu for order and pick-up from your room via Pico Bar and Restaurant. The hotel does not have room deliveries. Just an FYI on food prices and menu for budget purposes


the shower has a sliding glass door with shower controls quite far away from the shower. very nice as Tutubi opens the shower but stays away from it to avoid eeither too cold or too hot water

lotus and lotus flowers floating on the man-made lagoon

the placid water of the man-made lake of Pico de Loro is perfect for early morning photo opportunities


Comments/Review of Pico de Loro:

Coming Up:

The beach of Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas
How to Get to Nasugbu, Batangas

Other interesting places in Nasugbu, Batangas:

Club Punta Fuego
Munting Buhangin Beach Resort
Beach Resorts for Summer Outing

Disclaimer:
as always, this is not a sponsored post. You may get in touch with Pico de Loro for the latest room rates, day tour rates if not posted on Pico de Loro official website.

Labels: Batangas, Batangas Resorts, Calabarzon, Hotels, Hotels and Resorts, Southern Tagalog

Cavite is really home to nice, cheap beach resorts near Manila for less than two hours via Cavitex. Tutubi's doing research on Cavite beach resorts, beyond Lido Beach Resort he visited a few years back besides Puerto Azul Beach Club, the first true beach resort he visited from way back in 1998.

Herewith is his compiled list of Beach Resorts in Cavite (with or without swimming pool), with official websites, telephone numbers, email address/contact details, current room rates/entrance fee, swimming pool (or infinity pool if available)
and other facilities.

UPDATED: January 2016

Bacoor Beach Resorts

no white beaches here, too dirty. expect vendors/fishermen of talaba and tahong

Kawit Beach Resorts

Cavite City Beach Resorts

Noveleta Beach Resorts

Cavite beaches are all inside Manila Bay except those in Naic and Ternate where you can see fine white sand beaches with clear water and trash-free

Lido Beach Resort
Telephone Number: +63.947.150.0298

Villamar Beach Resort
Entrance fee: PhP30.00, shower stalls at only PhP15.00/person.
Picnic tables rental prices: PHP100.00, PhP250.00
Overnight Accommodations (Room rates): PhP1,000/2 persons (ordinary fan room, extra person PhP100.00), PhP3,000.00 for 2 persons aircon room, PhP200.00 extra person)
Contact Numbers for reservations/inquiries:Baby +63.929.8905763; Lolit +63.920.408.4444

Rosario Beach Resorts

La Isla Bonita De Salinas
Entrance Fee/Admission: PhP20.00 (free for Rosario residents)

Mount Sea Resort and Hotel
Room Rates: PhP2998.00 (budget package), PhP5,500.00 (superior)
Telephone Number: +63.46.438.3888
Remarks: nice facilities

Tanza Beach Resorts

La Playa Resort
Address: Halayhay Rd, Tanza
Telephone Number: +63.46.686.9069

Starfish Beach Resort

Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort
Room Rates: PhP2,500.00 to PhP5,000.00
Telephone Numbers: +63.2.524.3876;+63.2.708.0704;+63.2.516.5432

Villa Excellance Beach Resort in Tanza
Here is the list of the rates and entrance fees of Villa Excellance Beach Resort in Tanza, Cavite.
Beach Entrance Fee: PhP40.00 (weekday), PhP50.00 Weekends and holidays
Swimming Pool rates: PhP60.00 adults (PhP70.00 overnight)

Villa Buenaflor Resort
Address: Brgy. Calibuyo Tanza Cavite
Telephone Number: +63.46.886.1014

Villa Christina Resort

Villa Excellance Beach Resort
Address: Brgy. Sahud Ulan, Postema, Tanza 4108
Telephone Numbers: +63.46.885.2220


Naic Beach Resorts

Aroma Beach Resort,
Naic Cavite
Phone Number: +63.939.407.1304

Ternate Beach Resorts:

* the best beaches in Cavite can really be found in the southernmost town of Ternate due to its distance
from Manila, meaning it's already clean, unlike filth you see on the beach of Noveleta (sorry, Tutubi is an honest blogger)

Boracay de Cavite Beach Resort (Marine Base)
Entrance fee: PhP100.00, PhP200.00 overnight
Parking Fee: PhP50.00 jeep/cars
Remarks: the beach has a checkpoint as it's inside a General Lim Marine barracks.

Caylabne Bay Resort
Website: http://www.caylabne.com.ph/‎
Contact Number: +63.2.813.8520

Little Boracay Ternate (also known as Marine Base Ternate Beach)
Entrance fee: PhP100 per head
Cottage is P350
Overnight stay room rate PhP500.00

Marine Base Katungkulan Beach Resort
Entrance fee: PhP100.00, PhP200.00 overnight
Remarks: the beach has a checkpoint as it's inside a General Lim Marine barracks.

Puerto Azul Golf and Country Club
Day tour rates:
PhP 650/person with buffet lunch (subject to minimum guests), PhP 450/person with plated lunch,
PhP 300/person – just entrance fee , no meals
Remarks: Tutubi visited this place in 1998 but current pictures in the Internet seems nothing much changed :(
this used to be an exclusive, invitation-only resort then. Puerto Azul website not visible now
Contact Numbers: +63.932.863.6070; +63.919.533.5391

Ternate Beach Resort
Entrance Fee: PhP75.00 day tour, PhP150.00 overnight
Telephone Numbers:
Ms. Beth +63.932.211.2725; +63.908.862.7785
+63.46.515.0662
Website: http://ternatebeachresort.weebly.com/contacts.html

RanRich Beach Resort
Address: San Jose 4, Ternate, Cavite
Entrance Fee: day swimming rates at PhP100.00
Room Rates start at PhP1000.00 including big groups, Cottage rentals at PhP500 and up
Contact Number: +63.908.876.5696
Remarks: with big swimming pool, you can also pitch a tent on the beach (PhP150.00) but bring your own tent at the campsite.
You can bring your own food and drinks at no corkage fee

Beach resorts in Cavite with swimming pool

Coming up:

How to Get to Cavite: Map, Bus and Jeepney routes

Labels: Beaches, Calabarzon, Cavite, Cavite Resorts, Southern Tagalog

On February 23, 1945, American forces aided by Filipino guerillas conducted one of the most successful rescue operations in modern military history, almost a month after the successful rescue at the POW internment camp in Cabanatuan (later dubbed Raid at Cabanatuan and made into a Hollywood movie "the Great Raid").

Following the American forces landing on Leyte Gulf to begin the liberation of the Philippines, the Japanese Imperial Army massacred Prisoners-of-War internees including those at Plaza Cuartel in Palawan.

Gen. MacArthur was worried that other POWs would suffer the same fate that he devised plans to rescue thousands of them interned at various concentration camps including those in Cabanatuan, University of Sto. Tomas and in UP College of Agriculture in Los Banos, Laguna (now the University of the Philippines Los Baños or UPLB).

It was at Baker Hall, now UPLB gymnasium and named after Charles Fuller Baker, the former Dean of Agriculture of UP which housed more than two thousand prisoners.

the historic Baker Hall, now a gymanasium where events and parties are held, also has ghost stories told by students and teachers alike

If the Great Raid at Cabanatuan was executed by crawling soldiers under the cover of darkness and a P61 Black Widow as decoy, the raid at Los Banos was executed with the help or paratroopers as the POW camp is located on the hills of Mt. Makiling with reinforcements also from Laguna de Bay.

If the Raid at Cabanatuan was made into a Hollywood movie titled "The Great Raid," the raid at Los Banos was also turned into a movie in 2004 called "Rescue at Dawn: the Los Banos Raid"

A little girl plays football on Baker Field, a football field lined with huge trees with the chapel and carillon bell tower in view

After a few days, Japanese forces arrived at the camp and found it empty of prisoners. With the help of MAKAPILI (Makabayang Katipunan ng mga Pilipino), they rounded up and massacred about 1500 men, women and children (including people who sought refuge in a chapel) and burned their homes.

The people of Los Banos felt betrayed when the Americans left them behind to feel the wrath of the Japanese but soon learned to forgive them years later.

Labels: Calabarzon, History, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, World War II

(this unplanned trip happened on December 31, 2012 (new years eve)

If Paete has the Tatlong Krus on top of Mt. Humarap, Pakil has single large cross on top of Mount Ping-as watching over the town of Pakil, which was once part of Paete town. The Crosses share some history as well as past (and long gone) resentment between the two towns on the demarcation line.

Tutubi initially wanted to trek up Tatlong Krus but later thought of Ping-as with his brother but ended up going there with his septuagenarian father, three of his brothers, nephews and nieces.

The Trek up Mt. Ping-as in Pictures:

the only water crossing. see the trail is easy even for senior citizens, much more for children

the last stretch of the trail up Mt. Ping-as has concrete steps going up the viewdeck and rest area

The Mt. Ping-as Rest Area where you can...rest?

Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba (Birhen ng Turumba) in glass at the rest area

The large cross is visible here, the dog included to add scale

a bird's eye view of Pakil town and Laguna de Bay, Tutubi was able to post this on Facebook due to presence of Globe 3G signal on the mountain belonging to the Sierra Madre mountain range. there was a slight drizzle that time thus the hazy picture

History of Ahunan sa Ping-as and the Krus ng Pakil:

This landmark of Pakil town hosts an annual festivity known as "Ahunan sa Ping-as" celebrated every last Saturday of May, where participants climb up the Sierra Madre mountain to witness the Santacruzan and attend the Holy Mass.

At the foot of the cross, you can see the bird's eye view of the town, which is 500 meters above sea level

The cross was erected there in 1671 in honor of Fr. Francisco Solier who used to carry a wooden cross as a devotion when climbing up the mountain of Ping-as. The wooden cross was later replaced with a concrete one and a 14 Stations of the Cross were set up along the road/trail leading to the mountain top.

When Pakil separated from Paete to become a town of its own, the people of Paete erected three crosses on top of neighboring Mt. Humarap that became the Tatlong Krus

How to get there:

Follow this guide on to how to get to Pakil, Laguna. From Sta. Cruz, remember to request the driver to drop you off just near the boundary of Paete and Pakil (very near Pakil Cemetery) and not reach Pakil Church. There's a road going up the mountain with the words "Ahunan sa Mt. Ping-as" written on it to mark the start of the road/trail going there. (Tutubi wasn't able to plot the trail on his GPS to update OpenStreetMap but will do so in the future to give an accurante map of the trail)

If you came from Rizal via Siniloan, you'll pass by Lerma's halo-halo, Pakil Church, Pakil town plaza, Pakil municipal hall, and Turumba Springs Swimming Pool.

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Mountains, Southern Tagalog, Trekking

Well this is not new as it's been open for almost a year now, making wakeboarding reachable to Manila denizens instead of going to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur or Lago de Oro in Batangas where Tutubi first tried wakeboarding.



Republic Wakepark Wakeboarding Rate (from Avida Land):
1 hour pass – P250
2 hour pass – P475
4 hour pass – P595
8 hour pass – P995
Day & Night pass – P1,500
Night riding pass – P595
Private cable rent – P800/hour
VIP pass – FREE!

Nuvali wakeboarding rate is affordable for Tutubi at P250/hour price is ok if you're looking for "sakit ng katawan" that the masochistic Tutubi enjoys.

Republic Waterpark Operating hours: open from 830am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
No information yet if they're open in Holy Week (Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday but probably open for business)

Best to contact Republ1c Wakepark at their official website, telephone numbers, Facebook page or Twitter account for
ticket prices, restaurants, overnight accommodations, promos, discounts, group tours or wakeboarding lessons or summer workshops/classes for kids/children.

Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Water Sports

Tutubi's recent daytrip to Tagaytay made him stop by on the national road near Taal Vista Hotel to take this picture of a giant ferris wheel in Tagaytay Ridge that will surely offer leisure park visitors a stunning view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, and probably romantic sunset views of Tagaytay.

UPDATED: January 2016

What used to be a vacant lot beside Taal Vista Hotel that was used as a horseback riding with a view by children and kids alike is turned into a leisure park by SM Land.

map of Sky Ranch is available here (via OpenStreetMap much better than Google Map and Wikimapia)

Tagaytay Skyranch's SkyEye: the giant ferris wheel in Tagaytay as of August 2013

Just how will they call the giant ferris wheel: Tagaytay Eye? (much like the MOA Eye :P

It will probably be open during Holy Week when Manila is shutdown on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday only to re-open on Easter Sunday.

Sky Ranch Information (verified by Tutubi when he called SM Land hotline as of April 2014)

Tagaytay Sky Ranch Ticket Prices/Rides:

Nessi Coaster: PhP50.00
Red Baron: PhP50.00
Wonder Flight: PhP50.00
Mini-Viking: PhP50.00
Express Train: PhP50.00
Super Viking: PhP50.00
Sky Eye (Ferris Wheel Ride): PhP150.00
Carousel: PhP50.00

For SkyFun Amusement Park Tagaytay including the ferris wheel and restaurants (for commercial leasing inquiries, get in touch with SM Land)

Sky Ranch Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 3pm to 12mn
Friday to Sunday: 12nn to 12mn

*no confirmed information yet on Sky Ranch Holy week operating hours

Skyranch entrance fee/Admission rates: PhP100.00 regular
Horseback riding rate (children/Adult): PhP250.00 for 30 minutes
Ferris Wheel Ride rate: PhP150.00 for 10 minutes

Telephone Contact Number/Hotline:
Official website:
Twitter:
facebook page:

Related Post:

How to Get to Tagaytay

you may be looking for:
vista ranch tagaytay map sky ranch ferris wheel tagaytay eye in the sky, how to get to sky ranch tagaytay
how to commute to skyranch tagaytay public transportation jeepneys bus to SkyFun Amusement Park

Labels: Calabarzon, Metro Tagaytay, Southern Tagalog, Tagaytay City, Theme Parks

For those looking for up-to-date and accurate information on getting to Antipolo Church (as this has been asked so many times in the past) where Tutubi passes by en route to his hometown Paete, Laguna.

If you want to visit the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo at the Antipolo Church, buy some Antipolo pasalubong like kasuy, suman or have your new car blessing.

First, Click here for an updated and accurate street map of Antipolo via OpenStreetMap.



1. How to commute to Antipolo Church:

1.1 take the FX Shuttle service to Antipolo, available at
1.1.1 Gabriela Silang Car Park, Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City
1.1.2 SM Megamall
1.1.3 Robinsons Galleria
1.1.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
1.1.5 Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City (near LRT 2 Cubao Station and MRT Araneta Center Cubao Station)

1.2 Jeepney to Antipolo, Rizal:

1.2.1 Jose Rizal University (JRU), Shaw Boulevard (Kalentong), Mandaluyong
1.2.2 Starmall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
1.2.3 EDSA Central station, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
1.2.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
1.2.5 Tanay, Rizal (where you can get there via Siniloan, Laguna from Sta. Cruz)

1.3 Bus to Antipolo, Rizal:

EMBC bus line serves the Divisoria to Antipolo route

no idea on the jeepney fare to Antipolo. some jeepney routes may also require a tricycle ride
to get there usually from Quezon

2. Driving Directions to Antipolo Church:

From Makati, head towards C-5, turn right to Ortigas Avenue, pass the so called junction of Cainta,
pass Tikling junction (right turn then U-turn then right turn again)
until you get to Sumulong Circle where you turn left then right going to the road to Antipolo Church

From Quezon City and Marikina, this route is the better and faster than traffic-heavy Ortigas Avenue:
take c5 then Aurora Boulevard. Proceed to Marcos Highway all the way pass SM Masinag where you turn right
at the Masinag Junction. Go up all the way to Sumulong Circle (where the new Antipolo Public market is being built and where most vehicles turn left). Instead of turning, just go straight ahead then turn left to follow the map of Antipolo.

From Laguna and Quezon provinces, Antipolo can be reached via Siniloan and Tanay and Manila East Road, about 1.5 hours travel time from Paete, Laguna

Other interesting places to see and visit in Antipolo:
Ynares Center, Hinulugang Taktak and the pasalubong stores

Labels: Antipolo City, Calabarzon, Churches, Rizal, Southern Tagalog

The Salibanda is a centuries old devotion in Paete, Laguna where an image of the Sto. Niño is paraded around town beginning at Paete Church (on the third and last Sundays of January at 12nn), westward towards Wawa Park and Laguna de Bay lakeshore for a short fluvial parade then winds around town for a "wet and wild" water festival. The parade culminates at Paete Town Plaza where the whole town square full of people gets really wet even with the participation of Paete Fire Station "bumbero."

These pictures of Salibanda were taken using a Nikon D80 with 18-200 VR lens covered with plastic waterproof case to protect it from water. You may notice haze and water on the photos due to this setup

Read this article on Salibanda History for more information and narratives:

The traditional color worn by revelers is red, the use of this yellow color may have been due to the club

a spray of water greets the "party people" en route to Wawa Park





Salibanda actually means "sali sa banda" (join the band)


Dare to join Paete Salibanda next year or in the future?

Salibanda Schedule:
third and last Sunday of January (it coincides with the Sinulog, Ati-atihan)
om January 18, 2015 then with the Dinagyang on January 25, 2015

Related Posts:

Salibanda History Sto. Niño
January Festival Schedule Sto. Niño
Legend of Ati-atihanStar Toll

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Laguna, Paete, Southern Tagalog

It's a marriage between the raucous Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan and the St John the Baptist themed Basaan Fiesta of San Juan and the Parada ng Lechon of Balayan, Batangas where the people of Paete, Laguna, for more than a century, parade on the streets with the Sto. Niño (child Jesus), while spectators and revelers alike splash water on one another.

Photo Credits and Special thanks to Sidney of My Sari-sari Store for letting Tutubi use his Salibanda images. Tutubi invited Sidney in 2010 but was not able to come home

The fiesta, called Salibanda, shortened from Sali sa Banda (english: join the band), is held on the third and the last Sundays of January (usually coinciding with the schedules of Cebu's Sinulog Festival and Kalibo's Ati-atihan Festival and Iloilo's Dinagyang festival but not with Dinagyang if January has 5 Sundays)

Fiesta Salibanda 2015 Schedule:

January 18, 2015
Official Catholic and Rampants Club

January 25, 2015
Sto. Nino de Palaboy and S Fly
12nn Paete Church for the holy mass then parade around Paete for the "basaan" part
the Aglipayan (Aglipay or Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI))parade starts from Wawa (Laguna Lake shore) fluvial parade


These days, you can now see the same festival celebrated in neighboring towns of Pakil, Pangil, Kalayaan, Lumban and Pagsanjan but the original is always Paete, the first to have the unique Sto. Niño fiesta in the Philippines.

Origin and History of Salibanda Fiesta:

When did the Salibanda start? Who started it? Did it begin as an animist/pagan practice and converted into a Catholic tradition similar to the Ati-atihan Festival?

No one definitely knows for sure when or when the "wet and wild" devotion to the Sto Niño began and originated. Local lore and legends are also hard to believe. No scholarly study has been done to trace and document this. There's only documentation that the practice was present in the late 19th century and the original Sto. Niño image was transferred from the Catholic Church to the Aglipayan in 1902 when the original owners of the image switched religion.

in history there's a saying: "no document, no history" the mystery behind this tradition still exists waiting for a scholar to dig deeper or someone to stumble upon an ancient document (a 19th century or earlier blogger perhaps?) detailing it's origins and original intent.

Salibanda tips:

wear red if you want to participate (but not a guarantee that you will not get wet)
bring extra change clothes
protect your camera or bring a waterproof camera
If you have a car, park it on the highway, not inside the town as you will be requested to move it so as not to impede the parade and avoid scratches

Related posts:
Map of Paete, Laguna
Ati-atihan Festival
Basaan Fiesta of San Juan

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Laguna, Paete, Southern Tagalog

A childhood favorite street food of Tutubi, long planned to be blogged but not quite til now, is this obnoxious smelling yet delightfully satisfying bibingka recipe variant of Laguna where duck eggs are mixed with abnoy (spoiled eggs) and cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves where it emits an obnoxious aroma.

One memorable event Tutubi regarding this Laguna delicacy is in Lingga, Pila where his friends cooked them for their group who found the smell too much to endure yet devoured the bibingka itlog in seconds right after they were served.

the bibingkang itlog is usually sold on the streets of Paete and neighboring towns but probably made in Sta. Cruz and Victoria (where the duck industry flourishes). This version is not the best though as you can see holes in them due to added flour or other extenders

The bibingkang itlog vendor at Sta. Cruz Public Market, Tutubi's suki where you can sample difference levels of obnoxiousness before you buy, you can even buy those without the rotten smell/taste but it's not the exotic type Tutubi longs for

The Bibingkang itlog (puro) has slightly yellowish color and not much holes. Costs around PhP100 per pie. You can buy them at the public markets of Lumban, Sta. Cruz, Pila and other towns

Bibingkang Itlog is best served with spicy vinegar and to make it authentic street food, sold on banana leaves, and eaten with toothpicks (as shown on the top picture). Bibingkang itlog though, like other exotic food, requires an acquired taste to enjoy it otherwise it's like a Fear Factor challenge. This is easier to ingest though than the more exotic and challenging bibingkang abnoy of Pateros, made wholly from abnoy (bugok na itlog ng itik) but fried (like torta) then dipped in spicy vinegar.

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other Bibingka Posts:
Bibingka Galapong
Tita's Delight Bibingka of Tanauan, Batangas
Vigan Royal Bibingka

Other future posts of Tutubi just on his drafts folders for ages now :)

Bibingkang Hipon of Paete
Mandaue Bibingka
Bibingkang Abnoy of Pateros

Labels: Calabarzon, Exotic Food, Laguna, Laguna Food Trip, Southern Tagalog

Just a post in honor of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal on his 151st birthday celebration.

Tutubi was able to visit the huge Rizal Monument at the 18 foot tall Jose Rizal Shrine in Nueva Vizcaya some time ago which held the record for largest Jose Rizal Monument only for a little time due to the building of this new monument, whose height was allegedly adjusted, to be a little taller, after Laguna officials knew of its presence.




the 22 feet tall Jose Rizal Monument is the largest, tallest, biggest monument in the world honoring Jose Rizal

The giant Jose Rizal Monument, made of bronze and measuring 22 feet, can be found on Chipeco Avenue near Halang, Calamba City in front of the new Calamba City Hall and football field (pitch) and RSM Lutong Bahay Restaurant (the bypass road that avoids Calamba crossing traffic and SM City Calamba). It was unveiled last by Pres. Noynoy Aquino during the 150th birthday celebrations.

Related Post:
Jose Rizal Shrine in Nueva Vizcaya

Labels: Calabarzon, Jose Rizal, Laguna, Monuments, Southern Tagalog

A very popular resort and resort in Quezon Province that prides itself with eating lunch with wet feet in near a waterfall, Villa Escudero was visited by Tutubi for less than 4 hours, yet paid the whole day tour package rate, in order to catch up with his elementary class reunion.

Villa Escudero is a coconut plantation hacienda turned into a resort that caters to local and foreign tourists to give visitors a glimpse and experience life a hacienda. Here, tourists are ferried from the entrance to tour the resort facilities on carabao-pulled carts. Other facilities are swimming pool, team building activity area, river rafting, museum and church tour plus a cultural show (that Tutubi missed)

Pictures of Villa Escudero:

the primary come-on of Villa Escudero is the lunch buffet at the foot of a waterfalls (Libasan Falls) but the waterfall is actually not a falls but a spillway of the dam to hold water for a hydroelectric power plant generator

too many people at lunch time, hard to get a seat, but tourists savor the rustic and native feel of having lunch with feet wet at a waterfalls


some visitors try river rafting on bamboo rafts

carabao cart ferries tourists from the entrance to the activity area and for a day tour of hacienda escudero

review of villa escudero, tiaong, quezon:

buffett lunch is nothing to rave about though the caldereta is nice but not a hint of chili as it's supposed to be. other dishes on the menu are mango, bagoong, grilled tilapia, tinolang manok (served using coconut shells instead of cups/bowls), and pinakbet.

too many people on weekends, long queues plus it looks like a popular fast food restaurant where you need to wait for others to finish before you get a table (no reservations, first come first served)

Tutubi wonders how it VIlla Escudero vs Hidden Valley Springs will turn out but he still can't make a comparison. He hasn't been to Hidden Valley and he spent just less than 4 hours at Villa Escudero (though the lunch really deserves a negative review). Tutubi thinks he will never return to Villa Escudero unless his company again pays for it. For now, he can at least boast: been there, done that!

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Villa Escudero Entrance Fee/Rates: PhP1275.00 (corporate rate/discounted)
Villa Escudero day tour includes buffet lunch, river rafting, use of team building facilities
Resorts Opens: 8am to 5pm (no overnight accommodations?, visit Villa Escudero official website, call their contact numbers for inquiries and reservaations)

Warning:
try to avoid going to Villa Escudero on summer weekends due to it's really overflowing with people, something Tutubi doesn't really like. Weekdays may be a lot less touristy

sample menu prices:
buffett lunch does not include drinks, herewith
juices (mango, pineapple, orange): PhP45.00
nestea (lemon, calamansi): PhP35.00
softdrinks in can: PhP35.00
Coke light: PhP40.00
fresh buko juice (coco water): PhP30.00
San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen: PhP50.00
SanMig Light: PhP50.00


How to get to Villa Escudero:

Commute to Villa Escudero: board a bus to Lucena (Jam Transit, Jac Liner et al. Bus fare from LRT Buendia/Taft Avenue is around PhP130.00+) then drop off in San Pablo along the highway. ride a tricycle

Driving directions to villa escudero, tiaong, quezon:

from Quezon City or Makati, villa Escudero is just a straight drive to SLEX, take Toll Road 3 to exit at Sto. Tomas Maharlika Highway, drive past Sto. Tomas (Batangas), the Laguna cities of Alaminos and San Pablo then turn left a few meters from the welcome arch of Quezon (the boundary of Laguna and Quezon Province). Open street map has a useful road map of Villa Escudero

Green Star Express Star Toll, SCTEx

Labels: Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Quezon, Quezon Resorts, Southern Tagalog

Stuck in Metro Manila in Holy Week, like Tutubi and also allergic to malls and usual trips? Herewith is a suggested itinerary for a day or two around the so called Laguna Loop route:

Old Churches of Rizal (Visita Iglesia)
Baras Church
Morong Church
Tanay Church

after visiting Tanay Church, you can proceed to the giant Mother Mary shrine in Rizal in Sampaloc, Tanay near Camp Capinpin and Marcos Highway called Regina RICA

the shade under the giant statue can seat about 70 people. there's an adoration chapel insde the statue, the only place where picture taking is not allowed. guests are requested to dress modestly and keep quiet

Old Churches of Laguna (Visita Iglesia) with coordinates for your GPS:

Pakil Church: St. Peter of Alcantara Parish
Paete Church: St. James the Apostle Parish
Longos Church (Kalayaan): San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist)
Lumban Church
Pagsanjan Church: Our Lady of Guadalupe (not old though, it's reconstructed)

In Pakil, you can trek up Mt. Ping-as to visit the Holy Cross where a viewpoint offers a magnificent vista of Pakil town and Laguna de Bay.

In Paete, you may opt to drive to the top of the hill for the Tatlong Krus,
similar to the biblical Three Crosses on Calvary Hill in Jerusalem

the three crosses taken about 6 years ago using Tutubi's then trusted Canon Ixus 30

After Reaching Pagsanjan, you can opt to turn left after passing Pagsanjan Church (Our Lady of Guadalupe) and Pagsanjan Municipal Hall towards Cavinti and Luisiana (where the old churches await) en route to Lucban ( to visit Kamay ni Hesus, an already popular pilgrimage site on the hillsides of the Sierra Madre



From Lucban, you can drive back to Majayjay and Liliw where two old churches again await.

list of old churches in Laguna (from the northeast of Laguna de Bay (Laguna Lake))

Pakil Church, Paete church, Longos Church, Lumban Church, Cavinti Church, Luisiana Church, Magdalena Church, Majayjay Church (beautiful earthquake baroque), Liliw Church (red bricks), Sta. Cruz Church, Pila Church, Bay Church, Los Banos Church, Calamba Church (where Jose Rizal was baptized)

So many places to visit and explore, you really can't do it in a day, suggest an overnight somewhere probably in Paete, with the moving saints during the Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday Procession and the Dapit on Good Friday including the Mater Dolorosa, which won for Mariano Madrinan a Gold Medal in the

Estimated travel time, via the main roads, not the highway (Manila East Road)
conservative approximations:

Antipolo to Teresa, Rizal: 20 minutes
Pakil to Paete: 15 minutes
Paete to Longos, Kalayaan: 15 minutes
Lumban to Pagsanjan: 10 minutes
Pagsanjan to Lucban, Quezon : 1 hour


GPS coordinates/waypoints:

Tatlong Krus: N14 21 53.7 E121 29 32.8
Kamay ni Hesus: N14 06 00.5 E121 34 25.6

Pakil Church: N14 22 50.9 E121 28 44.7
Paete Church: N14 21 52.3 E121 28 54.4
Longos Church N14 20 25.0 E121 28 52.7

related post:
Holy Week in Paete, Laguna

Labels: Calabarzon, Holy Week, Laguna, Pilgrimage Sites, Quezon, Rizal, Southern Tagalog